JEFF BERNSTEIN HAS SPENT NEARLY 15 years in the industry driving technological innovation and financial sustainability while maintaining safe and effective operations at two of the country's largest transit agencies. As deputy chief financial officer of New Jersey Transit, he is a key member of the leadership team revitalizing the agency and finance department. His efforts shortened the financial close from six weeks to two weeks and created meaningful and timely financial reporting which he presents monthly to the board of directors. Bernstein launched initiatives to solve system and process issues impeding NJ Transit's ability to promptly pay vendors, and one of the key results of a drive for financial efficiencies has been a $10 million savings in employee benefit costs without a reduction in benefits. Other initiatives currently underway include optimizing fare enforcement on proof-of-payment systems and helping determine partnership opportunities with microtransit and Transportation Network Companies. Bernstein began his career as a civil engineer at Parsons Brinkerhoff (now FACT: Bernstein shares two tips from his experience: (1) find a great mentor who you can trust and has your best interests at heart; (2) never accept "because that's how we always do it" as a reason for continuing with a practice. MassTransitmag. com/21093117 WSP), before earning his MBA and working in various departments within the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and served as CFO of global mobile payments firm Bytemark before joining NJ Transit. Bernstein is a strong advocate for public transit and his contributions to the industry extend beyond his "day job." He believes strongly in mentoring the next generation of transit leaders and is a frequent guest lecturer on the business of public transit at local universities. Earlier in his career he founded the Greater New York City chapter of the Young Professionals in Transportation and grew the chapter from an idea to one of the largest chapters internationally prior to successfully transitioning leadership. He has presented at TRB and APTA conferences and remains active in both those organizations. Jeff Bernstein Deputy Chief Financial Officer New Jersey Transit "Public transit is all about providing sustainable mobility for people and I take tremendous satisfaction in knowing that the work my team and I do directly impacts nearly a million people riding NJ Transit's services a day." It's a beautiful day! NJ TRANSIT salutes Deputy CFO Jeffrey Bernstein for being named one of Mass Transit's Top 40 Under 40! Keep it that way. njtransit.com For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10719358 For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10729721 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | MassTransitmag.com | Mass Transit | 19http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21093117 http://www.sterifab.com http://www.njtransit.com http://www.MassTransitmag.com/10719358 http://www.MassTransitmag.com/10729721 http://www.MassTransitmag.com